Albuquerque NM vs Schenectady NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 28,542 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 42.3 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 6.8% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 4.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 57.5% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.2% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.9% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.2 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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